Median Earnings (1yr)
$55,580
58th percentile
60th percentile in Alabama
Median Debt
$25,000
7% above national median

Analysis

Alabama's finance program puts graduates on a strong upward trajectory that distinguishes it from typical state options. Starting at $55,580β€”already above both the state median of $50,939 and national median of $53,590β€”earnings jump to $72,138 by year four. That 30% growth rate signals that Alabama graduates are landing roles with genuine advancement potential, not dead-end positions. Among Alabama's 16 finance programs, this ranks at the 60th percentile, trailing only UAH and Auburn among major state schools.

The $25,000 in typical debt sits comfortably below the 1:1 threshold that creates financial strain, giving new graduates breathing room even in their lower-earning early years. With a debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.45, most graduates should manage repayment without difficulty while still building savings. The robust sample size means these figures reflect real outcomes, not statistical noise.

For families weighing Alabama against Auburn or UAH, the differences are marginalβ€”all three deliver similar value. But compared to smaller state programs where graduates start in the low $40,000s, Alabama's combination of solid starting salaries and strong growth makes it a clear winner for students serious about finance careers.

Where The University of Alabama Stands

Earnings vs. debt across all finance and financial management services bachelors's programs nationally

Earnings Distribution

How The University of Alabama graduates compare to all programs nationally

Earnings Over Time

How earnings evolve from 1 year to 4 years after graduation

School1 Year4 YearsGrowth
The University of Alabama$55,580$72,138+30%
Auburn University$55,875$71,821+29%
Samford University$53,059$70,946+34%
University of Alabama at Birmingham$50,939$62,664+23%
University of South Alabama$41,657$54,038+30%

Compare to Similar Programs in Alabama

Finance and Financial Management Services bachelors's programs at peer institutions in Alabama (16 total in state)

Scroll to see more β†’

SchoolIn-State TuitionEarnings (1yr)Earnings (4yr)Median DebtDebt/Earnings
The University of AlabamaTuscaloosa$11,900$55,580$72,138$25,0000.45
University of Alabama in HuntsvilleHuntsville$11,770$56,584β€”β€”β€”
Auburn UniversityAuburn$12,536$55,875$71,821$20,5000.37
Samford UniversityBirmingham$38,144$53,059$70,946$19,0000.36
University of Alabama at BirminghamBirmingham$8,832$50,939$62,664$22,5000.44
University of North AlabamaFlorence$11,990$43,512$50,370$22,2500.51
National Medianβ€”$53,590β€”$23,3320.44

Career Paths

Occupations commonly associated with finance and financial management services graduates

Financial Managers

Plan, direct, or coordinate accounting, investing, banking, insurance, securities, and other financial activities of a branch, office, or department of an establishment.

$161,700/yrJobs growth:Bachelor's degree

Treasurers and Controllers

Direct financial activities, such as planning, procurement, and investments for all or part of an organization.

$161,700/yrJobs growth:Bachelor's degree

Investment Fund Managers

Plan, direct, or coordinate investment strategy or operations for a large pool of liquid assets supplied by institutional investors or individual investors.

$161,700/yrJobs growth:Bachelor's degree

Chief Executives

Determine and formulate policies and provide overall direction of companies or private and public sector organizations within guidelines set up by a board of directors or similar governing body. Plan, direct, or coordinate operational activities at the highest level of management with the help of subordinate executives and staff managers.

$105,350/yrJobs growth:Bachelor's degree

Chief Sustainability Officers

Communicate and coordinate with management, shareholders, customers, and employees to address sustainability issues. Enact or oversee a corporate sustainability strategy.

$105,350/yrJobs growth:Bachelor's degree

General and Operations Managers

Plan, direct, or coordinate the operations of public or private sector organizations, overseeing multiple departments or locations. Duties and responsibilities include formulating policies, managing daily operations, and planning the use of materials and human resources, but are too diverse and general in nature to be classified in any one functional area of management or administration, such as personnel, purchasing, or administrative services. Usually manage through subordinate supervisors. Excludes First-Line Supervisors.

$105,350/yrJobs growth:Bachelor's degree

Personal Financial Advisors

Advise clients on financial plans using knowledge of tax and investment strategies, securities, insurance, pension plans, and real estate. Duties include assessing clients' assets, liabilities, cash flow, insurance coverage, tax status, and financial objectives. May also buy and sell financial assets for clients.

$102,140/yrJobs growth:Bachelor's degree

Financial and Investment Analysts

Conduct quantitative analyses of information involving investment programs or financial data of public or private institutions, including valuation of businesses.

$101,910/yrJobs growth:Bachelor's degree

Financial Risk Specialists

Analyze and measure exposure to credit and market risk threatening the assets, earning capacity, or economic state of an organization. May make recommendations to limit risk.

$101,910/yrJobs growth:Bachelor's degree

Budget Analysts

Examine budget estimates for completeness, accuracy, and conformance with procedures and regulations. Analyze budgeting and accounting reports.

$87,930/yrJobs growth:Bachelor's degree

Business Teachers, Postsecondary

Teach courses in business administration and management, such as accounting, finance, human resources, labor and industrial relations, marketing, and operations research. Includes both teachers primarily engaged in teaching and those who do a combination of teaching and research.

$83,980/yrJobs growth:

Insurance Underwriters

Review individual applications for insurance to evaluate degree of risk involved and determine acceptance of applications.

$79,880/yrJobs growth:Bachelor's degree
About This Data

Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard (October 2025 release)

Population: Graduates who received federal financial aid (Title IV grants or loans). At The University of Alabama, approximately 18% of students receive Pell grants. Students who did not receive federal aid are not included in these figures.

Earnings: Median earnings from IRS W-2 data for graduates who are employed and not enrolled in further education, measured 1 year after completion. Earnings are pre-tax and include wages, salaries, and self-employment income.

Debt: Median cumulative federal loan debt at graduation. Does not include private loans or Parent PLUS loans borrowed on behalf of students.

Sample Size: Based on 319 graduates with reported earnings and 328 graduates with debt data. Small samples may not be representative.